A massive wheel loomed on the outskirts, its buckets clanging with an unyielding rhythm, while I caught sight of figures shackled in chains. I marched past a chamber with a glass window that showcased the sprawling city beyond, heading toward a lookout by a gurgling stream of scalding water. This was their interpretation of the great outdoors, yet it unfolded within a vast, echoing cavern that seemed to stretch endlessly. The ground was a lush carpet of glowing green moss, and a bridge arched gracefully over the steaming waters. Scattered across the moss were circular tables, where people sat, some catching a glimpse of my shadow but dismissing it as a trick of the light.
The wheel continued its relentless grind, hauling rocks from above, a tireless engine of expansion. It was evident they had ambitions to extend their reach, so what more was there to discuss? What did they seek from me? Were they plotting to extract sensitive secrets under the guise of camaraderie?
